Legendary director Roger Corman died on Thursday (May 9) at his home in California.

The author and filmmaker was 98 years old when he died at his Santa Monica residence (via The Guardian).

In a statement, his daughter Catherine Corman said: “He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all who knew him.

“When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.'”

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Corman built an impressive career turning low-budget projects into magical cinematic art during over 60 years in the industry. He produced and directed a number of B-movies, including Little Shop of Horrors (1960), The Raven (1963), and War of the Satellites (1958).

After quickly deciding that industrial engineering was not for him, Corman’s career began as he worked his way up from his messenger job at 20th Century Fox.

He then began working as an independent filmmaker, producing up to nine films in a year, contributing to his total of more than 400 films produced in his entire career.

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In addition to being an inspiration to filmmakers, Corman played a key role in promoting the careers of many stars, including Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock and William Shatner.

He also mentored directors James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese before they made their big career breakthroughs.

There are numerous tributes to people who were inspired by Corman and his work. In an article on XFilmmaker John Carpenter wrote:

“Roger Corman, one of the most influential film directors of my life, has passed away. It was an honor to know him. He was a great friend. He shaped my childhood with science fiction films and epics by Edgar Allen Poe. I will miss you, Roger.”

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